New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facility – How Do Drug Courts Work?

At addiction treatment center, Serenity at Summit, addiction professionals understand that drug and alcohol abuse and addiction often cause users to suffer legal consequences. Many offenses committed are related to drug or alcohol use and can best be handled in drug courts, where offenders are sometimes offered addiction treatment as an alternative to harsher penalties.

What is Drug Court?

A Drug Court is a special court that has the responsibility of handling cases that involve offenders who have a substance abuse problem. Drug Courts deal with cases through comprehensive supervision, addiction treatments, drug testing, and immediate penalties and incentives. The unique aspect of Drug Court is that it offers offenders who are facing criminal charges for drug or alcohol-related crimes the opportunity to receive addiction treatment instead of serving jail time.

The requirements to qualify for Drug Court are strict because it is understood that recovery is not easy. Offenders are drug tested frequently, must attend recovery meetings, and appear in court regularly in order to stay compliant with the requirements. Drug Courts force offenders to face their substance abuse problems head on.

How Do Drug Courts Work?

Offenders who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may be sent to Drug Court instead of going through the traditional criminal court system. The goal of Drug Court is to keep the offenders in treatment long enough that it has a chance to work and monitoring the individuals closely and regularly. Typically, participants in Drug Court spend at least a year:

Attending addiction treatment of some kind, along with other services they need to stay sober

Being regularly and randomly drug tested.

Appearing before the judge regularly allowing the judge to monitor their progress.

Being held accountable for meeting their obligations to the court

Being rewarded for performing well and penalized if they don’t.

Who is Eligible for Drug Court?

Eligibility for Drug Court differs depending on state and local guidelines and on the type of Drug Court. For example, most Drug Courts in the U.S. are adult Drug Courts that handle adult offenders. Juvenile Drug Courts deal with offenders who are minors, and Family Drug Court deals with parents who are facing abuse or neglect charges regarding their children and due to substance abuse.

Most Drug Courts will not consider violent offenders for the program, instead making them go through the traditional criminal court system. Adult Drug Courts typically process dug-related and drug-driven offenses. If the case involves a victim, it’s usually required that the victim consents to the offender going through Drug Court.

Getting Help at Serenity at Summit

Serenity at Summit is an addiction treatment facility that offers medically-supervised detox, outpatient treatment, and residential treatment. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, let us help you get on the road to recovery. Please contact us today for more information.